Macaroni salad is a type of salad consisting primarily of macaroni, a form of pasta, that has been cooked and tossed together with mayonnaise. Recipes for Macaroni Salad usually consist of elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, mustard, onions, celery, and salt and pepper to taste, mixed together and served cold. There are several different variations to classic macaroni salad. You can add virtually any ingredients, depending on your personal taste. For a variation, try adding red bell pepper, Italian salad dressing instead of mayonnaise, green onions, peas and cheddar cheese for a delicious twist. Making a good macaroni salad isn't time consuming - once you've cooked the pasta and allowed it to cool, simply add the ingredients and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Macaroni salad is a similar meal compliment as potato salad and cole slaw. A good macaroni salad can make an excellent side dish or a main course for light summer lunches. Macaroni salad recipes are often prepared as a side dish at barbecues and potluck dinners. This page provides information about various recipes for making macaroni salad.
Other Summery Salads to Try
There are many other types of summer salads you can bring to your next barbecue. These include:
How to Make Classic Macaroni Salad
This video clip offers step by step instructions on making a traditional macaroni salad. Cook, drain and rinse one box of elbow macaroni. Allow the macaroni to cool and put it in a large bowl. Add one cup of mayonnaise, two tablespoons of vinegar, one tablespoon of dijon mustard, a teaspoon of sugar and salt and a dash of ground black pepper. For extra crunch, add red peppers, celery and red onions to the mix.
References
Fast Facts
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Usually a side dish
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Can also be served hot
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Any type of pasta can be used
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Great for picnics and potlucks
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Primary ingredients include elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, mustard, onions and celery
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Variations include using Italian salad dressing and dijon mustard for extra zest
